Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Refrigerator Spillage

ABSTRACT

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a refrigerator, which comprises a door and a retractable shelf. The retractable shelf is housed by a cavity defined by the refrigerator when the door is in a closed position. The retractable shelf can move with the door when the door is opened. The door can cause the retractable shelf to retract into the cavity when the door is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 1000;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1000;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1000;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1000;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1000;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 6000;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 7000;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 8000;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 9000;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of refrigerator 9000;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 11000;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 20000;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of system 11000;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of system 11000; and

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of system 11000.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a refrigerator, which comprises a door and a retractable shelf. The retractable shelf is housed by a cavity defined by the refrigerator when the door is in a closed position. The retractable shelf can move with the door when the door is opened. The door can cause the retractable shelf to retract into the cavity when the door is closed

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 1000, which is a two-door system. Refrigerator 1000 comprises a top door 1100 and a bottom door 1200.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1000, which illustrates top door 1100 in an open position. Refrigerator 1000 comprises a retractable shelf 1300, which is housed by a cavity 1400 defined by refrigerator 1000 when top door 1100 is in a closed position. Retractable shelf 1300 can be releasably couplable to top door 1100. When retractable shelf 1300 is coupled to top door 1100, retractable shelf 1300 moves with top door 1100 when top door 1100 is opened and shut. Retractable shelf 1300 provides a surface to catch any materials held within refrigerator 1000 above an elevation of retractable shelf 1300 when top door 1100 is opened and retractable shelf 1300 moved with top door 1100.

In the illustrated embodiment, retractable shelf 1300 can extend from cavity 1400 via a spring when top door 1100 is opened and might not be coupled to top door 1100. In other embodiments, retractable shelf 1300 can be coupled to top door 1100 and can be pulled from cavity 1400 as top door 1100 swings open.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1000, which illustrates retractable shelf 1300 extending from cavity 1400 as top door 1100 swings open.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1000, which illustrates retractable shelf 1300 extending from cavity 1400 as top door 1100 swings further open as compared to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1000, which illustrates retractable shelf 1300 extending from cavity 1400 as top door 1100 swings further open as compared to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 6000, which illustrates a view from below of a door 6100 as door 6100 opens and a shelf 6300 extends from a cavity 6400.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 7000, which illustrates an embodiment wherein a door 6100 is partially opened. In the illustrated embodiment, a user has elected to retain shelf 6300 substantially entirely within a cavity 6400 via a latch (see e.g., latch 20950 of FIG. 20) as door 6100 opens.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 8000, which illustrates a view from slightly above of a shelf 8300; as a door 8100 opens shelf 8300 extends from a cavity 8400.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 9000, which comprises a first door 9100, a second door 9150, a first retractable shelf 9300, and a second retractable shelf 9350. First retractable shelf 9300 is housed by a first cavity 9400 defined by refrigerator 9000 when first door 9100 is in a closed position. First retractable shelf 9300 can move with first door 9100 when first door 9100 is opened. First door 9100 can cause first retractable shelf 9300 to retract into first cavity 9400 when first door 9100 is closed. First retractable shelf 9300 provides a first surface 9200 to catch any object that falls from refrigerator 9000 above an elevation of first retractable shelf 9300 when first door 9100 is opened and first retractable shelf 9300 moved with first door 9100.

A spring (see e.g., spring 11500 of FIG. 11) can be coupled to first retractable shelf 9300, wherein first retractable shelf 9300 moves with first door 9100 via the spring when first door 9100 is opened. A roller (see e.g., roller 11600 of FIG. 11) can be coupled to first retractable shelf 9300. The roller rotates as first retractable shelf 9300 moves with first door 9100. A spacer (see e.g., spacer 11700 of FIG. 11) can be coupled to first retractable shelf 9300. The spacer can cause first retractable shelf 9300 to be separated from a housing (see e.g., housing 11800 of FIG. 11) of refrigerator 9000 by a predetermined distance when first retractable shelf 9300 is fully retracted in first cavity 9400. The spacer can cause first retractable shelf 9300 to stop rotating when the spacer contacts a lip (see e.g., lip 11900 of FIG. 14) partially defining first cavity 9400. A latch (see e.g., latch 20950 of FIG. 20) can be coupled to refrigerator 9000. When engaged, the latch can retain retractable shelf 9300 in first cavity 9400 when first door 9100 is opened.

Second door 9150 can be coupled to second retractable shelf 9350. Second retractable shelf 9350 is housed by a second cavity 9450 defined by refrigerator 9000 when second door 9150 is in a closed position. Second retractable shelf 9350 can move with second door 9150 when second door 9150 is opened. Second door 9150 can cause second retractable shelf 9350 to retract into second cavity 9450 when second door 9150 is closed. Second retractable shelf 9350 provides a second surface 9250 to catch any object that falls from refrigerator 9000 above an elevation of second retractable shelf 9350 when second door 9150 is opened and second retractable shelf 9350 moves with second door 9150.

In certain exemplary embodiments, first retractable shelf 9300 and/or second retractable shelf 9350 comprise a mesh. In certain exemplary embodiments, first retractable shelf 9300 can cease rotation prior to first door 9100 being fully opened. Refrigerator 9000 can have a lip (see, e.g., lip 11900 of FIG. 11) that is substantially in contact with an edge (see, e.g., lip 11900 of FIG. 11) of first retractable shelf 9300 when first retractable shelf is in a fully retracted position. Refrigerator 9000 can have a lip (see, e.g., lip 11310 of FIG. 14) that is substantially in contact with an edge (see, e.g., lip 11310 of FIG. 14) of first retractable shelf 9300 as first retractable shelf 9300 rotates with first door 9100. In certain exemplary embodiments, first retractable shelf 9300 and/or second retractable shelf 9350 comprise a netting. In certain exemplary embodiments, first retractable shelf 9300 and/or second retractable shelf 9350 comprise a plurality of segments. In certain exemplary embodiments, first retractable shelf 9300 and/or second retractable shelf 9350 can be coupled respectively to first door 9100 and second door 9150.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of refrigerator 9000, which illustrates a view from a different perspective from FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 11000, which illustrates a shelf 11300, spring 11500, roller 11600, spacer 11700, housing 11800, and lip 11900.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 extended as compared to the view of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 extended as compared to the view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 in a substantially fully extended position. System 11000 illustrates spacer 11700 engaged with lip 11900 such that shelf 11300 will extend no further.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 in a substantially fully extended position and door 11100 opened such that a gap 11950 is defined between door 11100 and shelf 11300.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 in a partially extended position and door 11100 opened such that gap 11950 is defined between door 11100 and shelf 11300.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 in a partially extended position and door 11100 opened such that gap 11950 is defined between door 11100 and shelf 11300.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 substantially entirely in a cavity 11400 with door 11100 in an opened position.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 substantially entirely in a cavity 11400 with door 11100 in an opened position.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 20000, which comprises a door 20100, a shelf 20300, and latch 20950. Shelf 20300 is substantially contained in a cavity 20400 in the illustrated view of system 20000.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 in a partially extended position and door 11100 in a partially opened position. The red triangle drawn in FIG. 21 shows three points of contact between shelf 11300 and other components of system 11000. A user can partially open a refrigerator door and cause shelf 11300 to partially extend from cavity 11400. Shelf 11300 has a general triangular shape and is supported at each of three support points, first support point 11910, second support point 11920, and third support point 11930. Supporting shelf 11300 with three support points that form a triangle can provide relatively stable support.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 in a slightly extended position and door 11100 in a substantially closed position. The red circles drawn in FIG. 22 illustrate points of contact between shelf 11300 an other components of system 11000.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of system 11000, which illustrates shelf 11300 in a substantially fully extended position and door 11100 in a substantially opened position. FIG. 23 illustrates an engagement between spacer 11700 and lip 11900 such that further motion of shelf 11300 from cavity 11400 is restrained.

Definitions

When the following terms are used substantively herein, the accompanying definitions apply. These terms and definitions are presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefine these terms during the prosecution of this application or any application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, each definition (or redefined term if an original definition was amended during the prosecution of that patent), functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of that definition.

-   -   a—at least one.     -   activity—an action, act, step, and/or process or portion thereof     -   adapter—a device used to effect operative compatibility between         different parts of one or more pieces of an apparatus or system.     -   and/or—either in conjunction with or in alternative to.     -   apparatus—an appliance or device for a particular purpose.     -   associate—to join, connect together, and/or relate.     -   can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.     -   catch—to restrain motion of something beyond a predetermined         elevation.     -   cause—to produce an effect.     -   cease—to stop.     -   cavity—a fillable space.     -   close—to put in a position to obstruct an entrance to a         refrigerator.     -   comprising—including but not limited to.     -   configure—to make suitable or fit for a specific use or         situation.     -   connect—to join or fasten together.     -   constructed to—made to and/or designed to.     -   contact—to physically touch.     -   couple—to link in some fashion.     -   coupleable—capable of being joined, connected, and/or linked         together.     -   create—to bring into being.     -   define—to establish the outline, form, or structure of     -   determine—to obtain, calculate, decide, deduce, and/or         ascertain.     -   device—a machine, manufacture, and/or collection thereof.     -   distance—an amount of separation.     -   door—a swingable barrier via which an interior of a refrigerator         is closed and opened.     -   edge—a border of an object at which a surface terminates.     -   elevation—a height of something above the surface of the earth.     -   engage—to bind.     -   fall—to drop via gravity.     -   fully—substantially completely.     -   housing—a structure at least partially enclosing one or more         machine components.     -   install—to connect or set in position and prepare for use.     -   latch—a system that holds something in a substantially fixed         position.     -   lip—a projecting edge of something.     -   may—is allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some         embodiments.     -   mesh—any arrangement of interlocking links, threads, or wires         with spaced small openings between.     -   method—a process, procedure, and/or collection of related         activities for accomplishing something.     -   move—to change something from a first position to a second         position.     -   netting—a fabric comprising thread or cord worked into a mesh.     -   object—a tangible thing.     -   open—to put in a position that does not significantly obstruct         an entrance to a refrigerator.     -   partially—not completely.     -   plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one.     -   position—location.     -   predetermined—established in advance.     -   prior to—before.     -   provide—to furnish, supply, give, and/or make available.     -   receive—to get, take, acquire, and/or obtain.     -   refrigerator—an appliance that provides an interior that is kept         cool by means of ice or mechanical refrigeration.     -   repeatedly—again and again; repetitively.     -   retain—to hold.     -   retract—to push and/or pull into a cavity.     -   retractable—capable of being pushed and/or pulled into a cavity.     -   roller—a small wheel.     -   rotate—to turn around an axis.     -   segment—one of a plurality of parts into which something is         divided.     -   select—to make a choice or selection from alternatives.     -   separate—to keep two objects apart.     -   shelf—a piece of material comprising a substantially planar         surface that is capable of supporting objects.     -   set—a related plurality.     -   spacer—a piece of material used to maintain a space between two         things.     -   spring—a twisted or coiled strip of material that recovers its         original shape when it is released after being squeezed or         stretched.     -   stop—to cease.     -   store—to place, hold, and/or retain.     -   substantially—to a great extent or degree.     -   support—to bear the weight of, especially from below.     -   support point—a surface of an object upon which a component         rests and which restrains motion of the component relative to         the earth's surface.     -   surface—an exterior boundary of an object.     -   system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles         of manufacture, processes, data, and/or instructions, the         collection designed to perform one or more specific functions.     -   via—by way of and/or utilizing.

Note

Still other substantially and specifically practical and useful embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited and/or herein-included detailed description and/or drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the scope of this application.

Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise:

-   -   there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular         described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or         element, any particular sequence of activities, or any         particular interrelationship of elements;     -   no characteristic, function, activity, or element is         “essential”;     -   any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated;     -   any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by         multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in         multiple jurisdictions; and     -   any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the         sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of         elements can vary.

Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.

When any claim element is followed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope. No claim of this application is intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC 112 unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.

Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.

Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a refrigerator, said refrigerator comprising: a first door; and a first retractable shelf, said first retractable shelf housed by a first cavity defined by said refrigerator when said first door is in a closed position, said first retractable shelf moving with said first door when said first door is opened, said first door causing said first retractable shelf to retract into said first cavity when said first door is closed, said first retractable shelf providing a first surface to catch any object that falls from said refrigerator above an elevation of said first retractable shelf when said first door is opened and said first retractable shelf moved with said first door.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a spring coupled to said first retractable shelf, wherein said first retractable shelf moves with said first door via said spring when said first door is opened.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a roller coupled to said first retractable shelf, said roller rotating as said first retractable shelf moves with said first door.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a spacer coupled to said first retractable shelf, said spacer causing said first retractable shelf to be separated from a housing of said refrigerator by a predetermined distance when said first retractable shelf is fully retracted in said cavity.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a spacer coupled to said first retractable shelf, said spacer causing said first retractable shelf to stop rotating when said spacer contacts a lip partially defining said cavity.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a latch coupled to said refrigerator, when engaged, said latch retaining said retractable shelf in said cavity when said first door is opened.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second door; and a second retractable shelf, said second retractable shelf housed by a second cavity defined by said refrigerator when said second door is in a closed position, said second retractable shelf moving with second door when said second door is opened, said second door causing said second retractable shelf to retract into said second cavity when said second door is closed, said second retractable shelf providing a second surface to catch any object that falls from said refrigerator above an elevation of said second retractable shelf when said second door is opened and said second retractable shelf moved with said second door.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein: said first retractable shelf comprises a mesh.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein: said first retractable shelf ceases rotation prior to said first door being fully opened.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein: said refrigerator has a lip that is substantially in contact with an edge of said first retractable shelf when said first retractable shelf is in a fully retracted position.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein: said refrigerator has a lip that is substantially in contact with an edge of said first retractable shelf as said first retractable shelf rotates with said first door.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein: said first retractable shelf comprises a netting.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein: said first retractable shelf comprises a plurality of segments.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein: said first retractable shelf is coupled to said door.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein: said first retractable shelf is supported at three support points as the first door opens.
 16. A system comprising: a refrigerator, said refrigerator comprising: a door; a retractable shelf, said retractable shelf housed by a cavity defined by said refrigerator when said door is in a closed position, said shelf releasably couplable to said door, when said shelf is coupled to said door, said shelf moving with said door when said door is opened and shut, said shelf providing a surface to catch any materials held within said refrigerator above an elevation of said shelf when said door is opened and said shelf moved with said door. 